A Day at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead opens for the 2025 season on Tuesday, April 1 at 9 a.m.

The charm of the farm animals, the intentional areas to explore, and the emphasis on conservation and preservation are just some of the reasons Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a favorite destination for Kansas City families. It is also economical to visit, cheerful around every corner, and can fill a few hours before afternoon naptime, or a full day of fun.

For novices or first-time visitors, take it from a seasoned veteran and follow these tips for a seamless day on the farm!

Plan your visit

Tickets can be purchased online. If your plans change, tickets are valid through the end of the season on October 31. The 2025 Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead admission fee is $5 per person for those ages three and older. Children two and under and Friends of the Farmstead are free. The Farmstead also offers free admission after 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday, except on holidays.

There’s always a stop at the popular pedal tractors!

Purchase goat milk bottles, animal feed, wagon ride and fishing supplies inside.

Once inside, follow the path toward the beautiful white barn and visit all of the little animals along the way, winding around until you find the small pangs of hunger hitting. Break out the packed snacks, or hit one of four options to purchase a kid-approved meal. There’s ice cream, hot dogs, ham sandwiches, warm pretzels … everything you’ll need to feed a picky child.

Consume your treats in the shade of the large playground, equipped with plenty of comfortable seating for parents to “sitervise” or sit and supervise as we like to call it! It’s a part of the park that makes kids of all ages want to run and slide.

From there, peek at the rabbits, coo at the pigs and feed the large goats who seem to often be more intrigued with eating shirts than they are the provided feed.

In this area you’ll find the Draft Horse Depot and the line for the popular horse-drawn wagon rides through the woods. While you wait, hop aboard the play buggy and lead your own virtual wagon ride.

Continue around the shaded, paved paths to find a bald eagle display, short walking path through the woods, a butterfly garden, an often-napping buffalo, and other stop-worthy adorable animals and exhibits along the way.

Be sure to stop to bottle feed the adorable baby goats. This year, the babies were named after beloved Nickelodeon characters. Can you find Spongebob, Arnold, Eliza Thornberry and Cosmo?

It’s the meandering and the exploring that makes Deanna Rose Farmstead a destination worthy of your time and money. It is big enough to entertain a wide-range of ages, but small enough to not feel overwhelming for the smallest of tots.

Sensory Friendly Early Admission Days

New for 2025, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead offers Sensory-Friendly Early Admission Days on the first Tuesday of the month from May through August. Individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families are invited into a calm and supportive environment from 8-9 a.m. before the Farmstead opens to the general public. Regular admission applies. Tickets must be purchased in advance due to limited capacity.

Important tips for parents

  • Ample parking is right outside the entrance.
  • Park is stroller friendly with wide, paved paths.
  • Plenty of picnic tables are scattered throughout to rest and eat.
  • Most attractions are free, with the exception of things such as mining, fishing, wagon rides and goat bottle feeding, but all are inexpensive add-ons.
  • Park is only open April 1 through Oct. 31.

Seasonal Attractions and Special Events

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead also offers lots of everyday events throughout the months, as well as holiday celebrations.

Pumpkin Hollow

Targeted more toward a toddler and younger elementary crowd, this is a great afternoon fall activity.

Last year’s visit to Pumpkin Hollow. Was a favorite for a then 3-year-old.

Night of the Living Farm

Visit for scary and non-scary activities during the Halloween season. See our Guide to Night of the Living Farm.

Holiday Lights on Farmstead Lane

A drive-up and park display meant to wow while never having to set foot in the cold air.

Visit the Farmstead’s site to see all upcoming special events, from goat yoga and movie nights to safety day and a fun run.

A day at Deanna Rose is encouraged, if not a rite of passage every year. It feels wholesome and a place everyone can visit without growing tired, as there’s always something new and precious to discover.

Kristin Ruthstrom
Kristin is a Lee’s Summit suburb transplant, after living in the Brookside and Plaza areas for over eight years. Raising three young boys with her husband, Jake, has helped her to embrace the messy, wild side of life where love is expressed in bear hugs and body slams. Professionally, she can be found teaching classes as an adjunct professor in the areas of Business, Marketing and PR. She is able to provide her students with applicable, real-life knowledge as she draws from several years working in the corporate sector. “Free time” (ha!, what's that again?) is spent on an occasional date night to favorite local restaurants, reading blogs on everything from home design to politics, riding her sweet beach cruiser bike and thinking of ways to convince her husband to do yet another home improvement project.

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